The Herald

The Diary

Weather for a duck FIRST Minister Jack McConnell launched yet another initiative yesterday to extol the virtues of Scotland abroad which will, of course, involve Jack himself in a few foreign trips. The only cloud on the affair was when his staff were asked what they were going to do about the fact that a study showed the bad weather in Scotland was a major barrier to companies relocating here. After a moment's pause one of his staff came up with: "I think you'll find the weather is a Liberal...

[ Drink-Driver Five Times Over Limit ]

Cameron Quits the Bbc After Controller Bid Fails

COLIN Cameron, the BBC's controller of network development for nations and regions, has quit after losing out in the race to become the BBC Scotland controller. The 54-year-old, who had been with the corporation for 31 years, had been considered for the role of controller at BBC Scotland, but the job was given to Ken MacQuarrie, the head of broadcasting, in February.

Farewell to the Mound As Holyrood Beckons; New Home Dominates Last of the Pre-Summer Whine

IT was a day of lasts at the Scottish Parliament yesterday. The last day of summer term. The last appearance by John Swinney as leader of the SNP. The last day of using a make-shift home on the Mound before flitting down the Royal Mile. But exactly five years since assuming devolved powers, the parliament still looked stuck in a rut, hooked on a subject it discussed with its first breath, and which has dominated it since.

Cassini Begins Saturn Quest Seven Years After Launch

A SPACE craft the size of a bus began a historic four-year mission to explore Saturn and its moons yesterday. The Cassini probe slipped through two of Saturn's rings and set itself in orbit around the giant planet.

One Egg Is Much Like Another to This Broody Mother

THEY could have been mistaken for little bustards, the bird sometimes known as the Australian turkey. But thanks to Doreen, a broody female Scots turkey, two "abandoned" baby ostriches can look the world in the face after she put in for their adoption.

Get-Fit Scheme for Farmed Fish

WE had aqua aerobics - now get ready for fish aerobics. It is not a new get-fit fad for over-fifties, but an exercise regime for flabby, farmed salmon. Glasgow University scientists are developing a device they say will encourage fish to keep swimming at an optimum rate.

Row Grows As Iran Insists Uk Marines Were Off Course

THE UK's diplomatic row with Iran intensified last night after Tehran denied forcing eight British servicemen into its territorial waters. Peter Hain, leader of the House of Commons, de-nounced Iran's actions as "intolerable".

Korean Student Leaps From Window to Escape Intruder

A TERRIFIED Korean student threw herself out a first-floor window after she was confronted by an intruder at Aberdeen University, police said yesterday. The 42-year-old is being treated for a fractured skull after the incident early yesterday morning.

New Rights Plan for Unmarried Couples in Line for Rights; Law Review to Consider Change Giving Partners Claim to Estate

COUPLES who co-habit may receive greater rights under a review to be unveiled by the Scottish Law Commission today. The law, unchanged since 1964, is considered out of date with social changes, including the increase in couples who decide to live together and not marry.

Drug Reactions Kill Thousands

More than 10,000 patients a year may be dying because of a bad reaction to medication, research suggests. A study found adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to medicines, including aspirin and anti-depressants, accounted for one in 16 hospital admissions.

Life for Adviser Who Seduced and Murdered Lonely Client

A financial adviser who seduced an elderly client before stealing from her and then murdering her was jailed for life at Chester Crown Court yesterday. Peter Crittenden, 64, smothered Joan Beddeson with a pillow in November 2002.

Squabbling 'Undermines' Terror Response

WHITEHALL squabbling has undermined Britain's chances of responding to a September 11-style attack, a damning report found yesterday. The cross-party Commons Defence Committee said in its report that plans by the Ministry of Defence to cut back the numbers of tanks, warships and aircraft were "potentially dangerous".

Venice Festival Will Give Stage to Best of Scottish Art

Scotland is to have its own pavilion to showcase the country's contemporary art work at one of the world's most prestigious festivals - the 2005 Venice Biennale. After the success of the first solo Scottish pavilion at the festival in 2003, the Scottish Arts Council is now teaming up with the British Council and the National Galleries of Scotland to give Scottish artists their own stage at the world's leading visual arts festival.

Council Faces (Pounds) 100,000 Case Over Dyslexia; Man Claims Teachers Failed to Spot Condition

A civil servant has launched a legal move for (pounds) 100,000 damages, claiming that his schoolteachers' failure to spot his dyslexia prevented him from pursing a lucrative career. David Lannigan's action against Glasgow City Council alleges that he was unable to fulfil his potential and was prevented from forging a successful career in computing by his teachers' inability to identify the condition.

Head Gardener

STYLISH CROP: Five-year-old Sophie Nicholson had a head start yesterday, while gathering some of the first harvest of Japanese Daikon radishes at the children's garden at the Botanic Gardens in Glasgow. However, the young horticulturist is aware the Daikon, which also is known as Oriental radish, icicle radish or Chinese radish, is far better eaten than worn.

Laurel Collection Sells for a Fine (Pounds) 20,000

A COLLECTION of photographs and memorabilia belonging to a surviving relative of Stan Laurel, the comic legend, sold yesterday for more than (pounds) 20,000. The family snaps and documents trace the showbusiness career of one of the world's most influential and best-loved comics, from his humble roots in northern England to fame and fortune as a Hollywood movie star.

Queen May Face Return Request

THE son of Sylvia Pankhurst, the pioneering suffragette, a key figure in a campaign for the return of looted treasures from Edinburgh to Ethiopia, is planning to raise the issue personally with the Queen. Richard Pankhurst, an African-based scholar, received the OBE in the recent Queen's Birthday Honours list for services to Ethiopian studies and hopes his investiture ceremony will provide an opportunity to further the cause.

Bleak Future for Children Growing Up in Poverty

A HUGE gulf exists in Scotland between children growing up in poverty and those faring well, according to new re-search. Children who have the poorest start in life as a result of poverty were found to be the most likely to experience difficulty throughout their lives. Child pedestrians from the poorest backgrounds were also four times more likely to be killed in road accidents than those in the highest socio-economic groups, the report by NCH Scotland claimed.

Green Light Given for (Pounds) 37m Stirling Rail Link

MINISTERS yesterday gave the green light to a (pounds) 37m plan to reopen a railway link. In their last meeting before moving into the new Holyrood building, MSPs unanimously passed the first private rail bill from the Scottish Parliament: the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine Railway and Linked Improvements Bill.